Quad has released the 25L Classic and 23L Classic floorstanding loudspeakers, designed to provide the closest approach to the original sound. To help achieve this tonal honesty the two models use Quad's innovative down-firing auxiliary bass radiator (ABR) technology. This approach provides extended and virtually uncoloured low bass response, without the turbulence inherent of typical bass reflex designs — or the low sensitivity and narrow dynamic range often found in sealed-box designs.
The 23L is a 3-way design, measuring up just below the one-meter mark and housing the Classic L range's sweet sounding 25mm fabric dome tweeter. A 125mm woven Kevlar cone handles midrange duties and an identically sized driver looks after mid/bass operations. The 25L range-topper uses the same pleasing tweeter, but incorporates a brace of 125mm drivers to deliver midrange, as well as an extremely talented pair of 165mm bass drivers to deliver muscular, far-reaching lower frequencies.
As with the entire L Classic range, the cabinet construction techniques used in the 23L and 25L are key to the class-leading levels of performance delivered. Two different wood materials are used for the carcass of the cabinets, reducing the audibility of resonance and making the cabinet more opaque to sound. Quad laminates together high density chipboard and fibreboard in a structure that breaks up the resonant modes into multiple mini-modal frequency bands that lack the strong sonic signature experienced by more coherent panels such as MDF. The end result is that listener hears the drive units as they should be heard — unblemished by the cabinets in which they are mounted.
Quad may go to great lengths to ensure the L Classic cabinets do not have a negative impact on listening ears, however it also makes great efforts to ensure the 23L and 25L models make a positive impression on watchful eyes. The maker finishes the speakers to 'furniture grade' levels — wood veneers are carefully selected for their grain structure, and then laid, and hand polished. Available in four finishes overall — non- lacquered cherry or piano black provide the price entry point for both models, while the stunning lacquered versions come in cherry or piano black — the 23L and 25L floorstanders never forget about the sound, yet also skilfully manage to deliver equally impressive visuals.
Price and Availability
The Quad 23L and 25L are available now. Prices start at £1,299.95 for the 23L and £1,749.95 for the 25L. See more speakers.
Specifications
| Quad 23L Classic | Quad 25L Classic | |
| Type | 3-way floorstanding speaker | 3-way floorstanding speaker |
| Enclouser type | Reflex box with 165mm auxiliary bass radiator | Reflex box with 200mm auxiliary bass radiator |
| Treble driver | 25mm fabric dome | 25mm fabric dome |
| Midrange driver | 125mm woven Kevlar cone | 2 x 125mm woven Kevlar cone |
| Mid/bass driver | 125mm woven Kevlar cone | N/A |
| Bass driver | N/A | 2 x 165m woven Kevlar cone |
| Frequency response (+/-3dB) | 40Hz-23kHz | 35kHz-23kHz |
| Crossover frequency | 450Hz, 2.2kHz | 430Hz, 2.6kHz |
| Nominal / minimal impedance | 8 Ohms / 4 Ohms | 6 Ohms / 3.5 Ohms |
| Sensitivity | 88dB | 91dB |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 925 x 225 x 316mm | 1125 x 269 x 348mm |
| Net weight | 17.2kg each | 25kg each |
| Finish options | Cherry or Rosewood classic veneer Cherry or piano black lacquered veneer | Cherry or Rosewood classic veneer Cherry or piano black lacquered veneer |
| Price (classic veneer) | £1299.95 per pair | £1749.95 per pair |
| Price (lacquered veneer) | £1599.95 per pair | £2199.95 per pair |
